A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

some shortcoming over which he/she has

Some Guidelines for Receiving Feed 

no control;

back:

6. It is solicited rather than imposed.

Feedback from another person (other

Feedback is most useful when the receiv 

people) is one important source of data

er her/himself has formulated the kind of

which helps tell you how your actions are

questions which those observing her/him

affecting others.  Even if you do not

can answer;

totally agree with the feedback, it is

important for you to first clearly hear and

7. It is well timed. In general, feedback is

understand it.  Even if you don t think it s

most useful at the earliest opportunity

"true" it will give you insight into some 

after the given behavior occurs. This

one else s "truth."  Since people act on

should be mediated by other factors such

their perceptions of your actions, it will

as, is the person able to hear it at this

be useful to know how you are coming

time, is there support available, etc.;

across, this gives you the option to

change if you are coming across in unin 

8. It focuses on "what" and avoids "why;"

tended ways.  The following guidelines

may help you be effective in receiving

9. It is checked to insure accuracy and

useful feedback.

clarity of communication. One way of

doing this is to have the receiver try to

1. Remember that it is one person s per 

paraphrase what she/he heard to see if

ception of your actions (or a few people s

that corresponds to what the sender had

perceptions) not universal "Truth; 

intended; and

2. Actively check out the feedback you

10. When the feedback is given in a

receive with others.  If many people give

group situation, both the giver and

you the same or similar feedback, there

receiver should have the opportunity to

may be a pattern in how you are coming

check with others in the group to get

across and you might want to consider it

additional feedback. Is this one person s

more strongly;

impression or one shared by others?

When giving feedback in a group setting,

3. Try not to offer explanations "I did that

always speak for yourself using  I  state 

because..." or be defensive, "that s not

ments.  Speaking for the group will like 

what I meant...;"

ly overwhelm the receiver and lead

him/her to believe the entire group has

4. Ask clarifying questions in order to

discussed some issue behind his/her

understand the feedback more fully;

back.

5. Good listening encourages feedback.

Feedback, then is a way of giving help; it

After you have heard all of the feedback

is a corrective mechanism for the individ 

try to paraphrase it back in your own

ual who wants to learn how well her/his

words.  This allows the giver of the feed 

behavior matches her/his intentions. It is

back to know she/he has been heard and

a way to learn from one s experience and

understood, and make it more likely that

to grow and improve.

he/she will give more feedback;

M a n a g i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p     M     7 7